Reference: Matthew, Gospel According To
Easton
The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears. He wrote the Gospel of Christ according to his own plans and aims, and from his own point of view, as did also the other "evangelists."
As to the time of its composition, there is little in the Gospel itself to indicate. It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem (MT 24), and some time after the events it records. The probability is that it was written between the years A.D. 60 and 65.
The cast of thought and the forms of expression employed by the writer show that this Gospel was written for Jewish Christians of Palestine. His great object is to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah, and that in him the ancient prophecies had their fulfilment. The Gospel is full of allusions to those passages of the Old Testament in which Christ is predicted and foreshadowed. The one aim prevading the whole book is to show that Jesus is he "of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write." This Gospel contains no fewer than sixty-five references to the Old Testament, forty-three of these being direct verbal citations, thus greatly outnumbering those found in the other Gospels. The main feature of this Gospel may be expressed in the motto, "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
As to the language in which this Gospel was written there is much controversy. Many hold, in accordance with old tradition, that it was originally written in Hebrew (i.e., the Aramaic or Syro-Chaldee dialect, then the vernacular of the inhabitants of Palestine), and afterwards translated into Greek, either by Matthew himself or by some person unknown. This theory, though earnestly maintained by able critics, we cannot see any ground for adopting. From the first this Gospel in Greek was received as of authority in the Church. There is nothing in it to show that it is a translation. Though Matthew wrote mainly for the Jews, yet they were everywhere familiar with the Greek language. The same reasons which would have suggested the necessity of a translation into Greek would have led the evangelist to write in Greek at first. It is confessed that this Gospel has never been found in any other form than that in which we now possess it.
The leading characteristic of this Gospel is that it sets forth the kingly glory of Christ, and shows him to be the true heir to David's throne. It is the Gospel of the kingdom. Matthew uses the expression "kingdom of heaven" (thirty-two times), while Luke uses the expression "kingdom of God" (thirty-three times). Some Latinized forms occur in this Gospel, as kodrantes (Mt 5:26), for the Latin quadrans, and phragello (Mt 27:26), for the Latin flagello. It must be remembered that Matthew was a tax-gatherer for the Roman government, and hence in contact with those using the Latin language.
As to the relation of the Gospels to each other, we must maintain that each writer of the synoptics (the first three) wrote independently of the other two, Matthew being probably first in point of time.
Out of a total of 1071 verses, Matthew has 387 in common with Mark and Luke, 130 with Mark, 184 with Luke; only 387 being peculiar to itself. (See Mark; Luke; Gospels.)
The book is fitly divided into these four parts: (1.) Containing the genealogy, the birth, and the infancy of Jesus (1; 2).
(2.) The discourses and actions of John the Baptist preparatory to Christ's public ministry (3; 4:11).
(3.) The discourses and actions of Christ in Galilee (4:12-20:16).
(4.) The sufferings, death and resurrection of our Lord (20:17-28).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Hastings
MATTHEW, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.
1. The First Gospel in the Early Church.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now all this has come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
and was there till the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
and was there till the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
and, coming, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, "A Nazarene shall He be called."
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
"Think not that I came to destroy the law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
And it came to pass that, when Jesus ended these words, the multitudes were astonished at His teaching;
And, when He entered into Capernaum, there came to Him a centurion, beseeching Him.
And I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven;
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses."
And, as Jesus was passing on thence, two blind men followed Him, crying out, and saying, "Have mercy on us, O Son of David!"
And, as they were going forth, behold, they have brought to Him a dumb man, a demoniac;
And it came to pass that, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the grain-fields; and His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain, and to eat.
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Then there was brought to Him a demoniac, blind, and dumb; and He healed him, so that the dumb man spake and saw.
And He, answering, said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation is seeking after a sign; and no sign shall be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."
And He did not perform many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
And Peter, answering Him, said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee on the water."
Then He charged the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time began Jesus to show to His disciples, that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and high-priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised up.
And, after six days, Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart; and He was transfigured before them; and His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as the light. read more. And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with Him. And Peter, answering, said to Jesus," Lord, it is good that we are here. If Thou wilt, I will make here three tents??ne for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And, behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I delighted; hear Him." And the disciples, hearing it, fell on their face, and were exceedingly afraid. And Jesus came near, and, touching them, said, "Arise, and be not afraid." And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus only.
And, when they came into Capernaum, those receiving the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, "Doth not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?"
And it came to pass that, when Jesus finished these words, He departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea, beyond the Jordan.
"For the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a man who was a householder, who went forth early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard;
And, when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples.
Now this has come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
"Hear another parable. There was a man?? householder??ho planted a vineyard, and placed a fence around it, and dug a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad.
"Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruit thereof.
And Jesus, going out, was departing from the temple; and His disciples came near to show Him the buildings of the temple.
And, while He was sitting on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us when shall these things be, and what is the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the age."
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be likened to ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom.
"For it is as when a man, going abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods:
And it came to pass when Jesus finished all these words, He said to His disciples,
Then was fulfilled that spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him Who was priced, Whom some of the sons of Israel priced,
And, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that Righteous One; for I suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."
And Pilate, seeing that it availed nothing, but rather a tumult was being made, taking water, washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this Man. Ye shall see to it."
they gave Him to drink wine mingled with gall; and, having tasted it, He would not drink.
going, therefore, disciple ye all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;
And John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they come and say to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Thy disciples fast not?"
And the Pharisees said to them, "Behold, why are they doing on the sabbath that which is not lawful?"
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He hath Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons casteth out the demons."
And the Pharisees and the scribes ask Him, "Why do not Thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"
And, as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples says to Him, "Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings!" And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There shall not be left here a stone upon a stone, which shall not be thrown down."
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what is the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" And Jesus began to say to them, "Take heed, lest some one lead you astray. read more. Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He', and will lead many astray. And, when ye hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled; these things must come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; and there will be famines: these are the beginning of anguish. "But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to the councils; and in synagogues ye will be beaten; and before governors and kings ye will stand for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the Gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And, when they lead you away, delivering you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak; but whatsoever is given you in that hour, this speak: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death; and the father, the child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye will be hated by all for My name's sake; but he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand), then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains; And let him who is on the house not come down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his garment. But woe to those with child and to those giving suck in those days! And pray that it be not in winter; for those days will be a time of tribulation, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And, unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would have been saved; but, for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. And then, if any one shall say to you, 'Lo, here is the Christ!' or, 'Lo, there!' believe him not; for there will arise false Christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; I have foretold you all things. "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will be falling out of the heavens, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then will they see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then will He send forth the angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the extremity of earth to the extremity of the heaven. "Now from the fig tree learn the parable: when its branch already becomes tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near; so also do ye, when ye see these things coming to pass, know that He is near, at the doors. Verily I say to you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things be accomplished. The heaven and the earth will pass away; but My words will not pass away. But concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. Take heed, watch [and pray]; for ye know not when the time is. It is as when a man away from home, having left his house, and having given authority to his servants, to each his work, commanded also the porter to watch. Watch, therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house is coming, at evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all, 'Watch.'"
And, while He was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure spikenard, very costly; and, having broken the cruse, she was pouring it down on His bead.
And they were offering Him wine mingled with myrrh: but He did not take it.
And, beholding their faith, He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
And, beholding their faith, He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
And He, lifting up His eyes on His disciples, said, "Happy, ye poor; because yours is the Kingdom of God. "Happy, ye who are hungering now; because ye will be filled. "Happy, ye who are weeping now; because ye shall laugh. read more. "Happy are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from themselves, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven; for, after the same manner, were their fathers wont to do to the prophets. "But woe to you that are rich! because ye are receiving your consolation! "Woe to you who are filled now; because ye shall hunger! "Woe to you who are laughing now; because ye shall mourn and weep! "Woe to you when all men speak well of you; for in this same manner were their fathers wont to do to the false prophets. "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who revile you. "To him who smites you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, withhold not your coat also. "Give to every one who asks of you; and of him who takes away your goods, ask them not back. "And as ye wish that men should do to you, do ye also to them in like manner. "And, if ye love those who love you, what charm have you? for even the sinners love those who love them. "And, if ye do good to those who do good to you, what charm have you? even the sinners do the same. "And, if ye lend to those from whom ye hope to receive, what charm have you? even the sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive back as much.
And He said to them, "When ye pray, say, 'Father, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Give us day by day our daily bread; read more. and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'"
And as the multitudes were gathering together to Him, He began to say, "This generation is an evil generation: it is seeking a sign, and a sign shall not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
And He said to His disciples, "Therefore, I say to you, be not anxious for your soul, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on;
For, as you are going with your adversary before the ruler, on the way give diligence to be released from him; lest he draw you to the judge, and the judge shall deliver you to the exactor, and the exactor shall cast you into prison.
And they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, when, therefore, will these things be, and what is the sign, when all these things are about to come to pass?"
And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld His glory??lory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he says what is true, that ye also may believe.
Verily, verily, I say to you, when you were young, you were wont to gird yourself, and to walk wheresoever you wished; but, when you become old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will gird you, and carry you whither you wish not."
Much every way: first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.